From Camping to the Catwalks: How Gorpcore Took Over High Fashion

Gorpcore, an acronym for "Good Ol’ Raisins and Peanuts” (yes, seriously), was coined by The Cut writer Jason Chen in 2017, but has been around for much longer than that. Previously called less catchy names like "camping-chic" or "granola-wear," the style is a convergence of outdoorsy attire, like technical wear parkas, beanies, and backpacks, with streetwear appropriate for city strolling. Think guys in Brooklyn who like to say they go hiking, but the closest they've been to climbing a mountain is making the trek to their local Bushwick bodega. 

Brands like REI, Marmont, Patagoina, Arc'teryx, and more have been making gorpcore before it was a trend, using materials like tech fleece and other high-performing mountain climbing and rain gear for optimal performance.

Then the high fashion world took notice. From Celine's $895 version of the Birkenstock (named "Furkenstock") and Gucci bum bags to Balenciaga's sleeping-bag like coat and Marques' Almeida's asymmetrical take on the puffer jacket, high fashion brands have been incorporating the gorpcore style into their collections for years. 

But sometimes, no one does it better than the original brands themselves. From California's Patagonia to Japanese brand And Wander, genuine outdoor brands have found a new kind of popularity in the recent years with the surge of gorpcore. Celebrities like Kendall Jenner and Emily Ratajowski have been spotted in the now widely popular North Face puffer jackets. In 2019, Frank Ocean made headlines by pairing a clementine colored jacket by mountaineering brand Mammut with an Arc’teryx olive green patterned beanie to sit front row at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris, exemplifying how the gorpcore trend can be taken from the trail to fashion week.